Sometimes a man just has to have a hot dog. During the New York Jets massacre this past Sunday against the Oakland Raiders, Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez was caught on camera scarfing down a hot dog. For some reason, the announcer took offense to his flippancy. This has apparently become a big story around the web, and I just had to weigh in on this.
The truth of the matter is Mark Sanchez had every right to eat that hot dog. Here are some of the reasons why:
- He was hungry.
- They were playing the Oakland Raiders so respect wasn’t an issue.
- He was hungry.
- The Jets had the game well in hand.
- He was hungry.
- Hot dogs rock!
- He was hungry.
It seems utterly ridiculous to me that anyone would make a big deal about Mark Sanchez eating a hot dog on the sidelines. It is not as though he was sitting there having chips and salsa. it was not a social function. With the way he was diving into that bad boy it would appear that he was simply hungry. I seriously doubt that it was a way for him to disrespect his teammates or opponents.
When asked about the situation, Mark Sanchez actually apologized and explained that he was simply hungry. I would not have apologized for one second. If you’re hungry, then you eat. Especially when you are burning tons of calories out on the football field. What’s next? Are we going to give players that get IVs during the game a hard time?
What an NFL season we have going here. The Saints are no longer Aints, and the Broncos finally showed me in week six that they were for real. What a mixed up year. Still, it makes for great football every single week, and week seven should be no exception. Here are your free NFL picks for the NFL week seven of action:
Green Bay at Cleveland – Green Bay looked like world beaters in week six, but they were playing the Detroit Lions. It is a good thing they are facing Cleveland this week. The result should be similar as Cleveland just can not seem to get it together at all.
Winner – Green Bay Packers
San Diego at Kansas City – The Chargers totally bombed on Monday Night Football against the Broncos but it seems the Broncs have a way of doing that to teams. The Chiefs finally got a win last week, but will return to their losing ways against the Chargers. Especially the angry Chargers.
Winner – San Diego Chargers
Indianapolis at St. Louis – The Rams have zero chance. Zero.
Winner – Indianapolis Colts
Minnesota at Pittsburgh – This is easily the game of the week to most NFL fans, and it should be a doozie. It is not every day we see Brett Favre face Ben Roethilisberger. This should be fun, but I see the Vikings finally losing one. It will be at the last minute, but the Steelers steal a much needed win.
Winner – Pittsburgh Steelers
New England at Tampa Bay – Tampa Bay has zero chance. Zero.
Winner – New England Patriots
San Francisco at Houston – This is another game that will be better than advertised. Schaub has been excellent this year, and the Niners struggled in their last outing. I think the Texans are just hot enough to take down the Niners this week.
Winner – Houston Texans
Buffalo at Carolina – Don’t look now but that Carolina running game is starting to rumble again. Just about this time last year, the Panthers did the same thing and ended up nearly taking home field advantage from the Giants in the NFC. The Bills are simply in the way. Just do not let Jake throw the ball, and the Panthers roll easily.
Winner – Carolina Panthers
NY Jets at Oakland – The Jets and Sanchez rebound in a big way. Nothing like having Oakland around to get back on the horse.
Winner – NY Jets
Atlanta at Dallas – The Cowboys have to win, and will for that reason only. The Romo watch continues though as he will struggle again against the Falcons rush.
Winner – Dallas Cowboys
Chicago at Cincinnati – The Bears will pull this one out but not without some serious fight from the Bengals. The Bengals and Bears might become an annual classic someday. It should be already. This will be a fun one.
Winner – Chicago Bears
New Orleans at Miami – I am smelling an upset here, but I think that if I pick against the Saints I might lose some readers here. If you are so inclined, feel free to take the Dolphins as they could very well upset the Saints at home. I still think the Saints will weather the storm though in all probability.
Winner – New Orleans Saints
Arizona at NY Giants – The Cardinals are in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Giants are angry.
Winner – NY Giants
MON, OCT 26
Philadelphia at Washington – See above. Add to this that the head coach is really not the head coach in Washington and they can not score. Philly better win or they might just be disowned when they go home.
Winner – Philadelphia Eagles
Tiebreaker Score – Eagles 21 Redskins 3
Week Six Record – 8 – 6
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Houston at Cincinnati
This is going to be a really good game between two up and coming teams. I expect that the Bengals will have enough at home, but the Texans are unpredictable. This game is the only one that scares me this week. Still, I say the Bengals take the win.
Winner – Cincinnati Bengals
Detroit at Green Bay
The Lions are not last year’s Lions, and will give Green Bay a bit of a fight…for about a quarter. This one might get ugly with Calvin Johnson injured. Green Bay in a blowout here.
Winner – Green Bay Packers
Baltimore at Minnesota
This is easily the game of the week. I expect that the Ravens will show up big time this week, but I do think that the Vikings will simply have too much firepower. In the end, it will be a close game but the Vikings will pull it out at home. This is the type of game where Favre’s experience will mean a win where as last year the Vikings would lose.
Winner – Minnesota Vikings
NY Giants at New Orleans
The Saints are no joke folks. This offense and defense is for real and they will expose some of the Giants weaknesses. Still, the Giants will be right there in the end. It could go either way, but I think the Saints will pass their way to a win.
Winner – New Orleans Saints
Cleveland at Pittsburgh
The Steelers are going to win this one going away. Do not even think of taking those Brownies here.
Winner – Pittsburgh Steelers
Carolina at Tampa Bay
The Panthers win back to back games finally in 2009. They really need a break out game from DeAngelo, and this should be the game to do it. Also look for a big game from the Carolina pass rush. Last week they woke up big time with sack after sack against the Redskins in the win.
Winner – Carolina Panthers
Kansas City at Washington
Now this is a stinker of a game huh? Redskins win just cause they are at home.
Winner – Washington Redskins
St. Louis at Jacksonville
See above. Still the Jags can actually score a touchdown….some weeks. This week they do…repeatedly.
Winner – Jacksonville Jaguars
Arizona at Seattle
This game will be entertaining to say the least. Lots of scoring and lots of fun in the rainy city of Seattle. Fitzgerald will have a field day and the Cardinals will win by the skin of their teeth….er…beaks.
Winner – Arizona Cardinals
Philadelphia at Oakland
The Eagles will win in a laugher here. Not much to say. Oakland is selling off the team already, so I don’t expect much except maybe a fight on their sideline at some point.
Winner – Philadelphia Eagles
Tennessee at New England
The Pats will win this one as the Titans have completely fallen apart. One has to cheer for Vince Young, however, as he gets another chance to prove he can handle being an NFL quarterback. Not against the Patriots at home.
Winner – New England Patriots
Buffalo at NY Jets
The Jets have to feel horrible after the loss in Miami. The Bills are just what the doctor ordered.
Winner – NY Jets
Chicago at Atlanta
This game will be a huge one for the Bears. A night game that will give them the chance to prove they are contenders. I expect Jay Cutler to have a huge night as the Falcons struggle under the lights.
Winner – Chicago Bears
MON, OCT 19
Denver at San Diego
The Broncos finally drop a game against a Charger team that plays every other game like they are superstars. This week they are due for a great one.
Tie breaker score – Chargers 31 Broncos 21
Winner – San Diego Chargers
Week Five Record – 8 – 6
Season Record – 47 – 29
Well, I would love to say I told you so, but that might seem arrogant! Aw hell with it….. I told you so! For whatever reason, my picks always seem to get better once the bye weeks begin. I don’t know why, but it happens every year. The good news is, this will continue. Thanks for the patience from all my loyal readers. Climb on board, and enjoy this weeks free picks and predictions along with us! Here are my week five NFL picks and predictions!
Cleveland at Buffalo – This game is going to be more competitive than many thought it might be in weeks past. I do think that Buffalo will pull out the win simply because they are at home, and they have a little bit more offense than poor Cleveland. This should be fun to watch.
Winner – Buffalo Bills
Dallas at Kansas City – Dallas is in desperate need of not only a win, but a big game out of Romo. For whatever reason, this guy is falling apart. The Chiefs are just what the doctor ordered, but I think that Romo will struggle anyway.
Winner – Dallas Cowboys
Minnesota at St. Louis – Favre is looking like he might only really be 25, and as long as that holds up the Vikings will win. Against St. Louis, he could play like he is eighty and they will win.
Winner – Minnesota Vikings
Oakland at NY Giants – The NY Giants are not going to need much to overcome the Raiders. When is someone going to notice that J. Russell is not the answer at quarterback? The Giants will walk all over them in the Meadowlands.
Winner – NY Giants
Tampa Bay at Philadelphia – The Eagles are sure to enjoy this one, as the weeks get tougher soon. Will Michael Vick make any impact this week? Will McNabb be back? Tune in to find out. You will see a tail whipping regardless by the Eagles.
Winner – Philadelphia Eagles
Pittsburgh at Detroit – This game is a trap game for the Steelers. They had better not come in here and think that the Lions are a pushover. They have some talent and can score. Mike Tomlin will not let that happen, so no worries in Steeler country.
Winner – Pittsburgh Steelers
Washington at Carolina – The Panthers have had their bye week and now face four teams they actually can beat. They simply have to win this game, and coming off the bye they will do just that. If not, then do not be surprised if the Fox chanters start screaming for his head again.
Winner – Carolina Panthers
Cincinnati at Baltimore – The Ravens are ticked. That is not good when you are talking about Ray Lewis and company. The Bengals just got them on a really bad week at home. They will be overwhelmed.
Winner – Baltimore Ravens
Atlanta at San Francisco – The Falcons are going in to face the shockingly good Niners. Can they take em? I say yes thanks to a very good game by Ryan. This is going to be one of the best games of the week that could go either way.
Winner – Atlanta Falcons
Jacksonville at Seattle – The Jaguars shocked everyone with the explosion last week against the Titans. This week, they will head into Seattle and deliver more of the same against a team that is hurting.
Winner – Jacksonville Jaguars
Houston at Arizona – This is a game where the team nobody expected from last year (Arizona) faces this year’s media darling (Houston). The Texans are for real and they get the chance to prove it this week.
Winner – Houston Texans
New England at Denver – This game is one that I was very tempted to take Denver. I am not simply because I can not see Brady losing to Kyle Orton on any planet. That can not happen….ever.
Winner – New England Patriots
Indianapolis at Tennessee – Another match up that should be great, but probably will be a laugher. The Titans are simply horrible lately, and nobody can seem to figure out why. (see carolina) The Colts take advantage.
Winner – Indianapolis Colts
MON, OCT 12
NY Jets at Miami – The young Mark Sanchez on the big stage for the first time. How exciting is that? It will be really exciting for the Jets. Expect a big game for the young Sanchez who is used to the big stage from his USC days.
Winner – NY Jets
Tiebreaker – Jets 30 Dolphins 21
Week Four Record – 12-2
Season Record – 39-23
Don’t forget to check out my competition either. Nick Meyer’s NFL football picks.
Will Mark Sanchez Be The Next Big Thing?
On the surface it would appear that Sanchez has been the best in a landslide, but much of that has to do with the players around him. Sanchez is 3-0 as a starter in his brief NFL career, but his defense has as much to do with that as anything that he has done. Do not get me wrong – Sanchez has looked fantastic so far. The thing about Sanchez that is shocking to me is how poised he has been. The guy never looks rattled, and that is a sign of a future NFL superstar at such a young age. He has a quarterback rating of just below 90 which is great and has only thrown 2 picks against 4 Touchdowns. Again, that is impressive.
Stafford has had his moments as well. The problem that Stafford faces is that he plays for the Lions. This guy is already being thrown into situations that create character or destroys young quarterbacks. Thus far, he has stood up quite well though the stats do not seem like it. He is 1-2 with a quarterback rating of 57.0. He has also thrown two touchdowns and 5 picks. This is partly because they have played from behind all season with the exception of that lone win against the Redskins.
All in all, the competition is pretty darn close. I do give the nod to Sanchez for one reason. He has shown an ability to throw the deep ball as he has three passes over 40 yds so far. While not mind boggling, this is certainly respectable for an NFL rookie quarterback that is only now getting their feet wet.
Who will be the better quarterback in the end is anybody’s guess, but I have a feeling they will both be around for a very long time. These are two great young talents. Hopefully they are not snake bitten by their respective teams. They are for real.
Week Two NFL Picks and Predictions – Free NFL Picks
The 2009 NFL preseason is off and running and things are beginning to get interesting. Unfortuantely, my week one NFL preseason predictions were a mediocre 9-8. Call it rust, or call it the unpredicatable nature of NFL preseason picking. Whatever the case, I am just getting warmed up. Things will get better. Without further ado, lets get into the week two NFL preseason predictions and get on with the football:
THUR, AUG 20
Cincinnati at New England - This game is one that should really be a scoring fest. I expect that the Bengals are going to continue to try to see if Palmer is truly ready, and they might give him a few extra snaps. The Pats are feeling awfully good about Brady and the offense after that first week. Preseason or regular season, this one is New England all the way.
Winner – New England Patriots
Philadelphia at Indianapolis - The Eagles now have Michael Vick on board, and they surely will be tempted to sneak him in a time or two to see what he might have. That would likely be a mistake, as he barely has taken a snap in practice. The Colts are trying to figure out why they stunk so bad last week. The Eagles will win this one.
Winner – Philadelphia Eagles
FRI, AUG 21
Tennessee at Dallas – The Cowboys looked about as bad as a team can look in the preseason last week, and this week I expect them to bounce back. The Titans have been great in the preseason, but they will lose in Big D.
Winner – Dallas Cowboys
Atlanta at St. Louis – Could things get any worse for Marc Bulger and the Rams? First they lose Donnie Avery, and now they lose Marc Bulger. Atlanta will take advantage in this NFL matchup.
Winner – Atlanta Falcons
Kansas City at Minnesota - The Chiefs are going up agains the Minnesota Favres? Vikings, I mean. Brett Favre in Minnesota has the whole NFL shook up. I think it might be a big mistake in the long run. We will see. The Vikings win this one going away, however.
Winner – Minnesota Vikings
SAT, AUG 22
Detroit at Cleveland – Detroit actually looks like a team that is turning the corner. Of course when you lose every game, that corner is not hard to reach. They will steal a win against a team that is having a major identity crisis at the moment.
Winner – Detroit Lions
Carolina at Miami – The Panthers looked horrid against the Giants, but the second teamers performed well. Miami looked fairly solid. I expect that the Dolphins will run their way to a win with the Panthers sitting all their stars.
Winner – Miami Dolphins
Pittsburgh at Washington - The Steelers are serious contenders this year, and the Redskins look pretty bad on paper. The formula will hold true for this game at least.
Winner – Pittsburgh Steelers
Tampa Bay at Jacksonville – The Jaguars are going to struggle a bit this year, but it wont be because of their defense. Look for some serious excitement out of the Jags on D. This game in particular.
Winner – Jacksonville Jaguars
New Orleans at Houston – The Saints will go marching all over the Texans in this NFL Preseason matchup. It will be ugly.
Winner – New Orleans Saints
Buffalo at Green Bay – Buffalo has had their fair share of games having played two already and both games were a bit of a disappointment. Green Bay has to be ticked off about the whole Favre thing. They will take it out on Buffalo.
Winner – Green Bay Packers
NY Giants at Chicago – Chicago is excited about seeing how they stack up against the Giants. I think that if Jay Cutler just throws the ball and keeps his mouth shut, they will look pretty good. Unfortunately, I don’t see that happening after the Giant’s pass rush is all over him.
Winner – NY Giants
Oakland at San Francisco – The Raiders might just win this one if they can keep their fists out of each other’s faces.
Winner – Oakland Raiders
San Diego at Arizona – The Chargers and the Cardinals are certainly going to be a fun game to watch. The Chargers have so many weapons, and the Cardinals have the ultimate weapons on offense. Don’t expect a lot of defense, folks.
Winner – San Diego Chargers
Denver at Seattle – The Broncos are really struggling as expected given the loss of all pro quarterback Jay Cutler, and they are still taking baby steps. The Seahawks are going strong now that Matt is back full strength. This one will be a blowout.
Winner – Seattle Seahawks
MON, AUG 24
NY Jets at Baltimore – The Jets will put on a nice show with their new quarterback Mark Sanchez. Will he be able to look so good against that Raven’s defense though? I don’t think so. Not yet.
Winner – Baltimore Ravens
The AFC East in recent years has been pretty much all about the Patriots for the last several seasons with the lone exception of last year. In a very odd 2008 NFL football season, the mighty Patriots lost superstar quarterback Tom Brady and dropped to second place behind Miami via a tie breaker. This season, Brady is back but does that mean that the AFC East is a gimme once again? Let’s look into the crystal ball for 2009, and see what stares back at us.
New England Patriots
While the Patriots are not the powerhouse they have been in previous seasons, they are still awfully good. This version of the Patriots has just as strong of a chance in winning the division as any, and I expect that Brady will return to form quickly and decidedly. Randy Moss, Brady, newcomer Fred Taylor, and many others will keep the Patriots near the top of the standings all season long. I expect them to reclaim the AFC East crown.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins sprung from nowhere to take the playoff spot in the AFC East last season and they will not sneak up on anyone this year. The Dolphins are a solid football team but they do have some question marks. Will Ronnie Brown be able to hold up this season? Will the wildcat be effective again? Can the Tuna work some more magic? I see second place in this talented division.
The Bills are one of those teams that is really hard to figure out. They have some serious talent and that new guy…. Terrell Owens. They have a quarterback that might just explode now that the Bills have more than just Lee Evans to throw to. It should be fun to watch. The Bills will come in a strong third, and would not surprise me at all to go higher.
New York Jets
The Jets will struggle this season because they seem committed to rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez. He is a fantastic talent and I do see him succeeding in his rookie year, but there will be growing pains for sure. Expect that Sanchez will play alot, and the Jets will win a little. This will be a good thing in the long run for the Jets.
Make sure to check out my other predictions for the league found below:
